Improvement in horse-detachers



5 lD. E. OWEN. HORSE-Mmmm. Np.17.0,389. Patented Nov. 23,1875.

UNITED STATES PATENT (DEEICEa DANIEL E. OWEN, OF CAMBRIDGE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR OF ONE- HALF HIS RIGHT TO DANIEL E. FRASIER AND ALPHEUS K. SMITH,

OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN HORSEDETACHERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent N 0. 170,389, dated November 23, 1875; application filed March 19, 1875.

To alt 'whom it may concern Be it known that I, DANIEL E. OWEN, of Cambridge, in the county of Middlesex and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Trace-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification Y The object oi' my invention is to provide a cheap, simple, and convenient means for instantly connecting the traces with the vehicle and harness. Being previously attached to the horse, the same are connected together for use instantaneously, so as to permit of the greatest dispatch in hitching a horse to a hose-carriage in case of an alarm given of fire; and it consists of a pair of metal plates, to be firmly secured to the inside of the shafts of the hosecarriage or vehicle, such plates being provided with dovetailed grooves, extending lengthwise of the same, into which are fitted a dovetailed tenon, formed upon a metal draw-bar, provided with a loop, With Which the front end of the trace is permanently connected, the rear end being connected to the Whifetree in like manner. This metal dra-W- bar is provided at its front end With a hooklever and spring, forming a snap-hook, which connects with a suitable loop upon the harness. This loop connects the hames and breechingstraps, also the girth and saddle-straps, having an extra cross-bar, which engages With the hook upon the draw-bar, and can beinstantly freed from the same by pressing down the front end of the hinged spring-lever.

It Will be understood that a pair of these self-operating fastenings are used, one upon the inside -of each shaft of the vehicle, the loops of which are constructedin pairs, or rightsand lefts, for the purpose. The drawbars, sliding freely upon the plates, allow the free movement of the traces When the horse steps, oscillating the Whiiiletree.

Figure l is a top-plan view of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of lthe same. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal central section. Fig. 41s a transverse section, showing the dovetailed sliding groove and tenon.

A is the shaft of the vehicle, to which the dovetailed grooved plate Bis secured by screwbolts passing through the same. O is the sliding metalV bar, provided with a dovetailed tenon or projection, E, and loop D, its opposite end being formed into a hook, F, and having a hinged lever, G, pivoted to the drawbar by a pin passing the saine, and operating in a slot, I, by means of a spiral spring, H, fitted into the slot, and having a bearing at the end ofthe said slot, and a projection upon the hinged end of the lever G, thus forcing the free end of the lever up against the under side of thc hook F, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Now, if the cross-bar J of the loop K be pressed upon the free end of the lever G it will yield, so as to permit the said bar J to pass into the hook F beyond the end of the lever G, then the spiral spring H recoils, and forces the free end of the lever G back into its former position, Which end forms a stop or guard to prevent the bar J of the loop K from being disconnected by accident. The loop K is provided With a loop, L, for connecting the breeching-strap; also, a loop, M, for the draftstrap, connecting with the haines; also, a loop for the girth N, and one for the pad or saddle strap R.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- In combination With the shaft A of a vehicle, the grooved plate B. draw-bar G, provided With projection E, loop D, hook F, and slot l, hinged lever Gr, and spiral spring H, constructed to operate with the cross-bar J of the loop K, as described, so as to form an automatic trace-fastener, substantially in the manner as and for the purposes set forth.

DANIELE. OWEN. Witnesses:

SYLvENUs WALKER, NATHANIEL L. OWEN. 

